I had a lovely time tonight. A harvest moon, a perfect fall evening, A Happy Meal and my grandson Wagner's soccer game. Nothing like watching 4 -year- olds chase crickets, run out of their shoes and high five at every opportunity. We actually won the game. The Wag Man was unsure as to whether he had contributed to a goal but was pretty sure he had.
Last week, grandaughter Annebelle sang her little heart out at a school program. Only a grandmother would have been able to pick her out of the risers full of 2nd graders but she sparkled like a new penny to me. How blessed I am to live close enough to share their lives.
Last week, grandaughter Annebelle sang her little heart out at a school program. Only a grandmother would have been able to pick her out of the risers full of 2nd graders but she sparkled like a new penny to me. How blessed I am to live close enough to share their lives.
I love being a grandmother but have noticed more mature women are not the Nanna's or the Mimi's but are the Mothers. There are growing numbers of women who are having children after 35 and are parenting teens way into their 50's. Thanks to fertility breakthroughs and changing lifestyles, there is now a bumper crop of teens with parents old enough to join the AARP.
More are on the way: In 2006, one in 12 first-time Moms were over 35, up from one in 100 in 1970; and in 2009, the only women with rising birthrates were those ages 40-44. (National Center for Health Statistics)
It seems like a huge social experiment. There is little research about how it works out for parents or kids in the years beyond babyhood. Seems to me, it would keep the parent more active. Older folks would be a little more wise. They would be a little more grateful. Surely, not sweating the small stuff comes with the territory? A mellow Mom or Dad might not be so bad after all.
Here are some simple tips for mature parents from child psychologist- Jennifer Lunder.
*Learn about things your kids like, but don't take it too far. You don't want to look like a parent trying to be a teenager- whether you are 35 or 65.
*Overcome any fear of new technology. Take lessons. Practice. Ask your teens how it works.
*Be as open an you can about events in your life that might affect your teen-including your health and your plans for retirement.
Whatever our age, parenting takes patience and confidence and courage- and a whole lot of love!
chrissie
1 comment:
just saw on yahoo that older mother's may indicate a longer life- nature just works things out doesn't it?
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